Health & Science

Thursday, March 25th 2021 - 10:34 UTC
Uruguayan Air Force helicopter carrying Pfizer vaccines crashes: total losses

An Uruguay’s Air Force helicopter carrying two boxes of Pfizer vaccines against Covid-19 crashed on Thursday morning in the Eastern state of Rocha and the 3-member crew was taken to a local hospital with non-serious injuries. The accident occurred due to a “mechanical failure,” the Ministry of Defense reported and resulted in a fire that provoked total losses of the aircraft and the shipment it was transporting.
Thursday, March 25th 2021 - 08:58 UTC
Bolsonaro appoints committee of experts as Covid-19 kills over 3,000 daily in Brazil

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro Wednesday announced the creation of a committee of experts which is to convene weekly to guide the government's fight against the Covid-19 pandemic as it spreads rapidly causing over 3,000 deaths every 24 hours.
Wednesday, March 24th 2021 - 09:55 UTC
Uruguay shuts schools and announces measures to prevent health system collapse

The government of Uruguay has ordered all schools and public offices to remain closed at least until the end of Tourism (Easter) Week, President Luis Lacalle Pou announced Tuesday evening during a press conference after a long Cabinet Meeting with Ministers.
Wednesday, March 24th 2021 - 09:17 UTC
Paraguay's Health Minister: total quarantine imminent

Paraguay's Health Minister Julio Borba Tuesday said a total quarantine was likely to be imposed nationwide starting this coming weekend as covid-19 cases are on the rise.
Tuesday, March 23rd 2021 - 19:38 UTC
£5k fine for holidaying abroad under new UK Covid-19 rules

UK residents travelling abroad without a valid reason may face up to £5,000 fines under new legislation set to be passed by the British parliament this week. The move comes as a new wave of Covid-19 cases begins to take hold in European countries, including Germany and France.
Tuesday, March 23rd 2021 - 17:02 UTC
Fresh lockdown for 13 million Chileans despite vaccine success

The Chilean government has announced a new series of confinement measures for some 70% of the country’s population following a 36% hike in Covid cases over the last two weeks.
Tuesday, March 23rd 2021 - 16:56 UTC
Covid kits contributed to deaths in Brazil

A “covid kit” touted by Jair Bolsonaro as an effective early treatment against Covid may have resulted in an increased number of deaths in seriously ill covid patients, according to reports in BBC Brasil today.
Tuesday, March 23rd 2021 - 10:42 UTC
Uruguayan government to debate measures amid record Covid-19 cases and political pressures

The Uruguayan government will discuss this Tuesday a radical reduction of mobility in the midst of a new wave of Covid-19 cases. This Monday, the highest number of new cases was detected, with almost 2,700 confirmed cases and a positivity rate of 18%, and the community spread of the Brazillian P-1 variant of the virus was confirmed.
Monday, March 22nd 2021 - 13:44 UTC
Covid-19: Health situation in Uruguay worsens amid successful vaccination campaign

Although a few weeks ago we talked about Uruguay as a milestone in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, with very few daily cases and a lower mortality rate than any other country in the region, the country of 3.5 million inhabitants surpassed this Sunday the 13 thousand active cases after several record days of daily positives. Scientific and medical societies are demanding measures to stop the spread of the virus despite the fact that 1 out of 10 Uruguayans have already received the first dose of the vaccine – Pfizer or Coronavac – against the disease.
Saturday, March 20th 2021 - 09:17 UTC
Venezuelans agree to purchase US$ 30 million in Covax vaccines; Guaidó will ask US for funds to be unfrozen

As part of a rare deal between Venezuela’s government and the opposition, some US$ 30.3 million of the country’s offshore funds that were frozen under U.S. sanctions will be used to pay for coronavirus vaccines.